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Question:I tried to get a copy of my great-grandfather'sbirth certificate from Pinellas County, Missouri, and they stated only immediate family could access those records. My great-grandfather did pass away bout 10 years ago, and his wife a few years later.

How can I get ahold of these records if I am not next of kin?


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I tried to get a copy of my great-grandfather'sbirth certificate from Pinellas County, Missouri, and they stated only immediate family could access those records. My great-grandfather did pass away bout 10 years ago, and his wife a few years later.

How can I get ahold of these records if I am not next of kin?

I am not sure they can legally deny anyone access to public records, and I believe that you can obtain the birth certificate. That is not to say that the county/state won't make you jump through some hoops to get it. There have been a lot of tightening on issuance of birth certificates as identity theft has become practically epidemic.

In some jurisdictions they will give you the requested document, but you have to pay a substantial fee, submit to a thumb print I.D. print for their records, and sign a release that your request has been made and the fact of said request will be forwarded to every state agency there is, as in DMV, Public Safety, DSS and everybody else.

Possibly you could if you had proof of his death like a death certificate. Each state has its own laws about who, when and where a person can get vital records but they are more lenient on death certificates than they are on birth certificates. Also if one of his children are still living, you could get them to sign a letter requesting his birth certificate.

try asking on rootschat www.rootschat.com

have gotten many records from Missouri State Archives website in Jeff City and Vital Statistics.
I have also lied and claimed to be a daughter and put for Genealogy purposes. There is NO PINELLAS CO, MO
only In FL

If you are his next of kin, then you shouldn't have any problems. They just don't want the information gettign into the wrong hands, which is perfectly understandable. Give them a call or send them an email, stating that you are his next of kin, and that you are his GG Granddaughter.

Ask what you will need to provide to show them this. You may need to take identification along with your birth certificate to show them. If you're married, you may also need your mariage certificate, which will show your maiden name and married names.

Good luck!

Many state's forms for requesting birth certificates include on it space for you to mark if you need a "certified" copy or just a regular copy and a space to mark you purpose where you can put "for genealogy". You should have no trouble getting a regular un-certified copy for genealogy purposes. And, I agree that there is no Pinellas County Missouri, only in Florida. I live like 2 counties away from Pinellas County Florida.

That could be why you couldn't get a birth certificate maybe?

Tell them you only need this for genealogy, not a certified copy. Contact the vital records bureau for your county or state. These are public records. They will stamp on it "for genealogical purposes only".